Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

FOOTBALL CHAT. [BY LINESMAN." J Saturday waa an ideal day for football-clear skies, a crisp breeze, and the ground in nice con- dition and, consequently, the large number who put in an appearance on the Corbett Arms ground to witness the game between the old rivals, Towyn and Aberystwyth, expected to see a brilliant dis- play of football. But there was nothing to be very proud about, and great was the general disappoint- ment The first half was of a dragging character, the kick and rush system being very much in evidence. The home forwards played a very loose game; the visitors, on the other hand, when they got fairly going, were very pretty to look at. The less said about their shooting the better. It was, in the words of a spectator, "something chronic." The mistake made by the Rovers was that they took matters too easily at the start and therefore had to exert themselves to the full in the concluding stages of the game in order to draw level, and finally to just barely win. Had the visitors gone their full pace there would have been only one team in it, and that would not have been the Rovers. Coming to the players, Green was the shining light of the visiting side's defence, and his partner Jones was also very effective. White in goal wa.s sound, and it would be hard to find a more level set of halves, with whom the home halves contrasted very unfavourably. The forwards were about the weakest on the day's play that I have ever seen representing the town, although it must in fairness be said that the home backs were decidedly vigilant and difficult to pass. Tom Evans and the outside left were the best of a moderate lot. For Towyn, E V Jones played a superb game at half-back, tackling neatly and feeding his forwards with rare judgment. Hughes and Roberts (his partners) played hard and deserve all credit for it, but they came nowhere near Jones's standard. At back E L Jones and Cotton did very well, the latter improving very much towards the close, s'ifer for the committee to place Cotton as a half- back or forward. Jones in goal was dead off, and the second goal was a shocking mull. He was evidently suffering from nervousness which he must get rid of by Saturday, or sad havoc will inevitably be played with the defence. In the for- ward line, Gladstone Davies played a splendid game, although there was a distinct trace of selfish- ness occasionally. But this was probably accounted for by the comparative inefficiency of the iaside men. Joe Edwards, on the left, did not get much of an opportunity, his half being altogether too slow, but his runs showed that he was up to high water mark. His vis-a-vis on the outside right, George Davies, got through a lot of work, and put in some rasping shots which must have given trouble to a weaker defence. Bob Jones, I have no doubt did his level best on Saturday, but it was painfully apparent that he is not a forward. He is a brilliant back, and the sooner he reverts to his old position and Hany Cotton is brought forward, the better it will be for the team. T) Lloyd, one of the County School forwards, ;• • i i 1, i td right, and was decidedly effective. Hut he is too light, and was consequently quickly knocked off the ball. He never had a single opening, while a heavier man could have rushed the backs. Taken through and through, it was a mediocre display and disappoint- ing to the supporters. Next Saturday, I hope, every man will stepson the field with the fixed determination to do his level best. If this is done, although I am certairly not prepared to predict a win, they will give the men of Meirion about the warmest time they have ever had. It is a big if," but it can He done. In my c hat last week, I mentioned something about players taking some notice of unpleasant remarks. The phrase should read-players should take no notice" of what is said, because the people who utter the remarks are invariably a few senseless roughs whose opinions are of not t. slightest value, but who, unfortunately, are to be met with everywhere. I have no doubt that the game next Saturday will, whoever wins, be played in a sportsmanlike spirit. It is the intention of the Dolgelley club to get both teams to dine together after the match, and supporters will, I understand, be also admitted. The price of the tickets will be Is 6d and I trust a large number will avail themselves of the oppor- tunity. 1 believe that the railway company will offer every facility to those who intend to be present, and I hope to see a. large number of Towynites on the field.

THE LEAGUE. Gopls. P. W. L. D. F. A. P. Sunderland 21 13 4 4 35 23 30 Everton 21 11 5 5 41 25 27 Aston Villa. 23 11 7 5 30 23 27 Blackburn Rovers 22 10 7 5 33 27 25 Sheffield United 22 10 8 4 43 29 24 Wolverhampton W..i 22 9 8 5 30 35 23 Bolton Wanderers. 21 8 7 6 34 30 22 Notts Forest 23 8 9 6 28 31 22 Stoke 22 8 8 6 31 36 22 Derby County 20 7 6 7 22 20 21 Sheffield Wednesday 19 8 6 5 32 33 21 Newcastle United 20 6 6 8 29 17 20 Bury 21 7 8 6 28 26 20 Liverpool 19 6 7 6 28 24 18 Grimsby Town 21 7 11 3 20 38 17 Notts County 23 7 14 2 31 46 16 Small Heath 20 6 11 3 25 33 15 Manchester City 20 3 13 4 16 40 10 THE COMBINATION. Goals. P. W. L. D. F. A. P. Wrexham 13 9 0 4 43 10 22 Nantwich 17 10 5 2 43 30 22 Wellington Town 16 9 4 3 29 18 21 Witton Albion 18 9 7 2 31 28 20 08westry United 17 8 6 3 43 26 19 *Burslem Port Vale 12 6 2 4 27 17 14 Liverpool White Star 13 7 6 0 33 28 14 Tranmere Rovers 15 5 6 4 31 28 14 Chirk 18 7 11 0 40 43 14 Rhyl 13 3 5 5 25 29 11 B>i'igor 13 4 6 3 24 38 11 *Uaester 16 3 9 4 32 48 J Birkenhead. 12 2 7 3 16 31 7 Newton-le-Willows. 15 2 10 3 17 60 7 *Two points deducted for playing an ineligible man.,

WELLINGTON AND DISTRICT LEAGUE. P. W. L. D. F. A. P. Trench 5 5 0 0 26 4 10 Hadlev 8 4 3 1 17 14 9 Singleton & Cole's. 6 3 1 2 22 7 8 Bridgnorth 5 2 2 ^1011 d Shrewsbury R. O. 4 2 2 0 12 Broselev 5 1 0 9 18 2 Welshpool 5 0 5 0 8 36 0

— FRIENDLY MATCHES. TOWYN ROVERS v ABERYSTWYTH. The above teams met in a friendly encounter on the Corbett Arms ground on Saturday. The weather—rather cold from the spectators' point of view-was ideal for the players. In view of the Cup final next Saturday a good deal of interest was taken in the game, but the majority of the sup. porters went away disheartened for, although the homesters won, there was nothing very striking in their display. A good deal of apprehension is con- sequently felt for the result next Saturday. How- ever, to revert to the game, the following did duty for their respective sides:- ABERYSTWYTH. Goal, C White; backs, Oswald Green and W E Jones; half-backs, Lewis Lewis, E Thomas, and Di Davies; forwards, J Bevan, T Rees, W Bevan, T Thomas, and T Mills. TOWYN. Goal, Lewis Jones backs, Harry Cotton and E L Jones half-backs, E V Jones, Di Hughes, and Jack Roberts; forwards. G Davies, D Lloyd, Gladstone Davies, Joe Edwards, and Bob Jones. Referee, Mr Mathew Edwards, Towyn linesmen, Messrs B Jones, Towyn, and Barson, Aberystwyth. The game opened in a quiet fashion, Aberyst- wyth taking advantage of a bit of a breeze which blew from goal to goal. They made their presence felt from the start, but their attacks lacked sting and they were easily kept out by the home defence. About five minutes after the game was fairly thus leaving the visitors one man short. It was a pure accident, and no blame was to be attached to anyone. The visitors took things very coolly, how- ever, and pegged away, improving very much as the game progressed. At last the homesters woke up, and a capital run was initiated by the forwards, but was frustrated by Green with a long shot. Down came the home vanguard, but Jones relieved. The pressure was kept up, however, the halves serving judiciously. E V Jones secured an opening and, with rare judgment, planted a beauty in the net—a very fine effort indeed. This put the spec- tators into a good humour but the lead was not held for very long, for, stimulated by reverse, the visit- ing forwards made determined efforts to equalise. Unfortunately a homester fouled. Green took the kick and the ball landed in the corner of the net, Jones being decidedly wanting in judgment;, Glad- stone Davies restarted for Towyn, and rattled down the centre, but being heavily pressed, passed to his brother on the right, who banged into White's hands. White effected a weak clearance and Bob Jones returned, missing a certain goal by twisting the ball around the post. The visitors then had a look in, the right wing being very promi- -it. From a throw-in which !!ey secured, Di i 'hes headed badly and a corner resulted, vV. ii was nicely placed but just went outside. 'Itey came down again, the home defence being decidedly shaky. They got away in good style at last, but Bob Jones was pulled up with a foul. E L Jones took the kick and Gladstone Davies got his foot to it and i-ent in a fast grounder which was barely saved, Green, however, cleared with a long drive and the danger was averted Another run followed and T Rees in clearing kicked behind, but the corner which followed was well cleared by Green who J■'iyed well, albeit a trifle too vigorously. Just .cf) the whistle went for half-time with the score Aberystwyth 1 goal, Towyn 1 goal. The homesters estarted with the wind at their backs, the centre opening with one of his characteristic runs. But the visitors were not to be caught napping and they werequickly sent back. The left again got away, and after some exciting play, Joe Edwards centred nicely, but there was n.) one to meet it and Jones cleared. E L Jones worked his wt.y and sent in a splendid shot which was assisted by Gladstone Davies with a neat touch into the net. Thu3 encouraged, they came down again, but a rambling shot by Joe Edwards went wide. Jack Roberts dribbled down and his shot dropped in the goal mouth. An exciting scramble ensued but immediate danger was averted with a corner. This was taken by E V Jones, and went yards wide. Davies and Lloyd on the right worked their way well down, but Green interfered and Gladstone got a pass which he very nearly converted into a goal, White making a splendid save. Di Hughes, who was doing very well all things considered, had hard lines with a well-placed shot. Aberystwyth were kept more or less penned in and seldom got over the halfway line, but their backs were as steady as rocks and the halves very quick on the ball, the openings allowed the home forwards being very limit.' i. The Aberystwyth left broke away, the outside man travelling at top speed, but he was pulled up by E L Jones, and E 0 Jones cleared. Harry Cotton got away and planted three or four good shots in, but the visiting halves returned. J Roberts had a shy but it went out. The next event of import- ance was a fast shot from a stiff angle by Bob Jones, which was cleared with some difficulty. Shortly afterwards, the Aberystwyth left got fairly going and, following a dashing run, T Evans scored the equaliser, Jones (in goal) mulling badly. Jones appeared to be nervous, for he played much below his usual form. The Rovers went for all they were worth after this and pressed heavily, but scoring appeared to be out of the question. A fine burst by Cotton ended in a rattling attempt which missed by inches only. The ball hovered about the visitors' goal and was dropped in the goalmouth by E 0 Jones. A scramble ensued and Bob Jones tipped into the net. The decision was very much questioned by Aberystwyth, who clamoured loudly for offside," but the referee held to his decision and it was ultimately accepted. From the centre a run was initiated by David Lloyd, but he was stopped by Green. Gladstone got possession and passed over to Joe Edwards, who shot across the mouth of the goal, and in doi: g s i collided with W E Jones, both being winded for a few minutes. Geo Davies repeated on the right but shot over the top, close on time. There was nothing further of much interest, and the whistle blew with the scoreTowyn, three goals; Aberystwyth, two goals.

SHROPSHIRE JUNIOR CUP. THIRD ROUND. WHITTINGTON v SINGLETON & COLE'S. This match was played at Whittington on Satur- day before only a small attendance, Mr Nicholls, Wellington, being the referee. The game opened in tame fashion, but there was a bit of excitement after a quarter of an hour's play when a corner kick fell to the home team, and the visitors' goal bad a narrow escape. The Tobacconists then pressed for some time and looked like scoring, especially Litt, but Hammonds made a timely clearance. Grindley and the backs played well, and then Whittington had a turn, but their final efforts were weak. Just before the interval Litt beat Grindley. On restarting, Whittington attacked, J Davies putting in nice work and finish- ing with a shot which was only a trifle wide. After further pressure a penalty kick was awarded the homesters and from this Hammonds equalised. Soon after, however, Singleton's scored in a rush on the goal. Whittington tried hard to draw level, but failed, and the game ended in favour of the visitors by two goals to one. The visitors played a pretty game all through and their method was much in contrast to the home team. Whittington should combine better and not indulge in too much individual play.

OSWESTRY UNITED RESERVE v WHIT- CHURCH ALEXANDRA. This tie was decided at Oswestry on Saturday in favourable weather, though the ground was very heavy owing to a slight fall of snow. There was a fair attendance of spectators. The teams turned out as follows, in charge of Mr Lawson, Shrews- bury OSWESTRY RESERVE. Goal, Powell; backs, Emery and Bowyer; half- backs, T Hampson, W Morris and R Morris; for- wards, Hammond, D Davies, C Griffiths, Mack and Owen. Goal, Fletcher; backs, Chidgey and Mayer; half- backs, Rogers, Reid and Edge; forwards, Henshall, Wilkes, Wharton, Evans and Chal'inor. Oswestry faced a brilliant sun in the first half and Whitchurch forced the pace, which looked as if they were determined to score, and in fact, the ball was netted by Henshall but the point was not allowed. The exchanges continued in favour of the visitors and play became vigorous and free kicks were frequent. During this time the Oswestry de- fence did well. Hammond at length transferred play and shot hard at Fletcher who saved well. Hammond again secured and planted the ball a trifle wide. Whitchurch then got close in by sharp passing, and Wharton had hard lines in just missing the mark. Play then ruled even and was confined principally to the half-backs. The Reserves then attacked warmly and the visiting backs were found safe, until Davies got in a grand shot, Fletcher having to concede a corner. The kick, however, was cleared and a rapid run on the visiting right followed, It Morris keeping the player off while Bowyer cleared. The United were again promin- ent and, after the Whitchurch goal had a narrow escape, Mack found the net off a neat pass from Hammond. Despite this reverse the visitors worked hard and, though Bowyer made a timely clearance from the Oswestry goal, the visitors per- sisted and a corner fell to them. This how- ever brought no advantage. The Alex's kept up the pressure and Emery and Bowyer and the half. backs had a bUdY few minutes. Ultimately they got through, but Powell cleared and Edge finished with a wide shot. In a rush on the home goal Bowyer miskicked, but Powell, luckily, was behind him and got the ball away. Play then went the other way, alcharice being missedj R Mortis returned the ball and Mnyer had to give a corner, but this was cleared, and half-time arrived with Oswestry leading by a goal to nil. On resuming, Oswestry should have increased their lead through Ham- mond, only that he was held by two players while Fletcher got the ball away, an incident which was not noticed by the referee. The next occurrence of note was a run on the right, when a Whitchurch and an Oswestry player managed to bowl the lines- man over. Mack made a splendid individual run, and a fruitless corner was conceded. Oswestry renewed the at tack, R Morris put the ball well in goal, Fletcher only partially clearing, and Davies added another goal. Whitchurch played up and Powell saved a capital shot from Reirl. Aided by a free-kick, Whitchurch again attacked, and play was confined in the Oswestry quarters. Bowyer cleared, but Chidgey returned with a strong kick, the ball travelling a trifle wide. Hammond and Davies were next conspicuous, the former centred nicely and Griffiths just missed the ball, and this enabled the defence to clear, but Owen received and planted the ball under the cross bar, Fletcher saving well by giving a corner, and the visiting right got away. They were given a free kick and Oswestry had to de- fend, Powell saving from Wilkes, and the next minute Henshall just missed with a swift oblique shot. A most amusing incident occurred at this stage. Hampson sent the ball along and it was going over tha goal line, but Hammond was just in time to prevent it. For some reason the referee blew hid whistle and the players were dumbfounded. Then the Referee gave a corner kick, and the players were getting into position, when he altered his decision and awarded a goal kick. As the ball had not been out of play and a mistake had arisen, the ball should have been thrown up. Players and spectators were considerably amused at this. On resuming, Mack secured and netted the ball, but. was ruled off-side. The pace now had considerably slackened, and both teams showed signs of fag owing to the heavy nature of the ground and ball, and as the state of the ball has been mentioned, we might state that at half-time a dry ball was brought forth—as has been done many a time-but for some reason it was ordered back, and the game was resumed with the old one. Towards the end Whitchurch held the upper hand and the home defence had their work cut out but they stuck to it well, and the game ended in favour of Os-westry by 2 goals to nil.

POULTRY-KEEPERS should procure a useful -r Book on Poultry-keeping and Thorley's Almanack for 1902, both of which will be sent on receipt of two penny stamps (to cover postage)- Address Almanack Dept., Joseph Thorley (Ltd.), King's Cross, London, the Proprietors of Ovum, Thorley's Poultry Spice.

MARKETS WELSHPOOL GENERAL, Monday.—Wholesale price Butter, Os Od to Is 3d per lb eggs, 0 to 12 for Is fowls, 3s Od to Os ad; chickens, 4s 6d to 5s 0 d 5 ducks, Us Od to 5s 6d; rabbits, Is 6d per couple. N EWTOWN GENERAL, TUESDAY.—Eggs 0 to 12 for is; butter Is 3d to Os Od per Ib; fowls 3s Od to Os Od chickens 0s Od to 4s 6d; ducks 0s Od to5s0d rabbits, Is 6d per couple. LIVERPOOL CORN, TUESDAY. — Wheat, slow trade, half-penny under Friday. 2 Kansas, new, 63 Od to 6s Olld 1 Northern Manitoba, 6s Id to 6s 2d. Beans, Saidi, 32s 9d to 33s Od. Peas, 6s 9d. Oats, new, white, 3s Od to 3s 3d yellow, 2s 9d to 2s lOd black, 2s 10d to 2s lid. Maize, very little business passing in mixed, about Id lower, old mixed, 5s 6d to 5s 61-d. Flour, unchanged. 2 LONDON HAY AND STRAW, TUESDAY.—Prices:— Good to prime hay, 1COs to 115s Od inferior to fair. 80s to 95s good to prime clover, 95s to 110s; inferior to fair ditto, 80s Od to 90s mixture and sainfoin, 90s to 105a Od straw, 28s to 40s per load. LIVERPOOL CATTLE MARKET, MONDAY.—Numbers: Beasts, 1,240; sheep, 3,784. Quotations: — Best beasts, 6d to 6!d seconds, 5jd to 5fd; thirds, 4Jd to 4 4 9. 5jd best Scotch sheep, 7|d to 8d other sorts, 51ci to 7d lambs, 6!d to 7Jd per lb. The supply 2 4 ?. of stock was less than last week, showing a de- crease of 406 cattle and of 1,096 sheep. Demand slow for all classes at about late rates. BlliMI NG HAM CATTLK, TOESDAY.— Short sup- plies generally, and trade inactive. Prices ruled ap follow:—Beef, lierefords, 6d to 7d; shorthorns, 6d to 6Jd bulls and cows, 4Jd to 5|d calves, '2 2 2 6d to 7d wethers, 71(1 to 8Jd ewes and rams, 5d to 6d per lb. Bacon pigs, 9s; 6d to 10s Od porkets, 10s Od to 10s 6d sows, 7s 6d to 7s 9d per score. RALFOIW CATTLE, TUESDAY. —At market:- Cattle, 2,765, good trade at full prices; sheep, 8,364, trade better calves, 167, in very fair demand. Quotations:—Cattle, 4Jd to 6^d cal ves, 5d to 8d sheep, 6d to Sald per lb. CORK BUTTER, Thursday.—Primest, -6; prime —s firsts, 100s; seconds 95s kegs, -s; thirds 80s; kegs -s fourths 67s; fifths —s choicest —s; choice —s superfine —s kegs -s; fine mild -s mild —a choicest boxes —s choice boxes, -8; 10 cwt of fresh butter A, 100s to —s B, 85s to 84s factory seconds,—. Total number of firkins 17. OSWESTRY CORN MARKET, WEDNESDAY. —The following were the quotatiors:- White wheat (old) 6s 6d to 6s 9d; white wheat (new), Os Od to Os Od per 751bs red wheat (old), 6s 6d to 6s 9d red wheat (new), Os Od to Os Od per 7blbs; old oats, 15s 6d to 16s Od new oats, 13s Od to 14s Od per 2001bs; malting barley, 18s Od to 19s Od; grinding barley, 14s Od to 15s Od per 2801bs. OSWESTRY GENERAL MARKET, WEDNESDAY.— Quotations :— Butter, Is 3d to Is 4d per lb eggs 10 to 12 for Is beef, 7d to 8d mutton, 7d to 9d • lamb, 8d to 9d veal, 7d to 8d pork, 6d to 8d per lb fowls, 4s Od to 5s Od per couple ducks, 5s Od to 6s Od rabbits, 2s 2d to 2s 4d per couple; honey, Is per jar potatoes, 9d to lOd perpcore; carrots, Os to 4s per cwt; cabbages, 2d to 4d cauli. flowers, 2d to 4d each celery, 2d to 4d per stick; apples, Is 6d to 38 per 100; pears, 5 to 10 a Id walnuts, 4d to 6d per hundred filberts. 5d to 6d per lb chestnuts, Od to 2d per lb. OSWESTRY WEEKLY CATTLE FAIR.-There was a smaller supply of stock, at the Smithfield on Wednes- day, but trade was good. Messrs Whitfield & Sons sold 161 cattle and calves, and 712 sheep; Messrs Hall Wateridge & Owen sold 76 fat cattle and a number of sheep Messrs Whitfield and Rogers sold a large quantity of stock, as did also Mr T Whitfield, Junr. Prices ruled as follows :—Beef, 6Jd to 61d per lb; veal, 7d to 8d per lb; mutton, 7d to 8d lamb, 7d to 71d per lb pork pigs, 9s 6d to 10a Od bacon pigs, 8s Od to 9s Od per score. ELLESMERE, TUESDAY. —Quotations as follows Wheat (new) 138 6d to 13s 9d per 225 lbs malting barley, 18s Od to 20s Od per 280 lbs oats (new), Os Od to 14s Od per 200 lbs butter, Is 2d to Is 3d per lb; eggs, 11 to 12 for Is fowls, 4s Od to 4s 6d ducks, 5s Od to Os Od rabbits, ls8d toOsOd per couple. WHITCHURCH, FRIDAY. — Wheat, 4. 2 d to 4s 4d per 75 lbs barley, 4s Od to 4s 3d per 70 !bp oats, 3s Od to 3s 4d per 50 lbs; eggs, 12 to 13 for Is; butter Is Id to Is 2d per 16 oz fowls, 38 6s to 4s 6d ducks, 48 6d to 5s 6d per couple potatoes, 2s 6d to Os per cwt; beef, 6d to 8d mtton, 7d to 9d lamb, 7d to 9d veal, 7d to 9d pirk, 7d to 8d per lb rabbits, Is 8d to Is lOd Pel couple apples, 2d to 3d per quarter. BRADFORD WOOL, THURSDAY.—There was a con. fident tone about this market to-day. Some of the advances obtained at Coleman street had been to a considerable extent anticipated here. Although topmakers had not succeedei in obtaining rates relatively equal to those now ruling in London they had advanced quotations, and some of them would not sell at current rates.

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A WESLEYAN LAY AGENT. ALLEGED ASSAULT ON A CHILD NEAR CEMMAES. John Parry, a Wesleyan lay agent, and 20 years of age, has been arrested on a charge of indecently assaulting a nine-year old daughter of ltobt Lumley, quarryman, residing at Commins Coch. The prisoner, who is a native of Penmaenmawr, came to reside at Commins Coch in September, and the offence is alleged to have been committed on Christ- mas Eve. The little girl is the youngest child of a family of five, and the story came to the ears of her parents through the child's brother repeating what had been told him by his sister Jenny. Fu'ly a month had elapsed between the date of the alleged offence and the issue of the warrant, and in the meantime the Quarterly Meeting dismissed the prisoner from his post. The police afterwards took the matter np. — «